Several community leaders came to Laurel Middle School Friday as a part of the school’s celebration of National Education Week.

Laurel Councilwoman Willie L. Evans, along with Laurel Police Sgt. Mark Evans and well-known businessman and Laurel native Will Pace challenged the students at Laurel Middle School Friday to achieve their best.

Pace, who now lives in Florida, told the students about how he struggled through school performing as “a C student, but was an A student intellectually.”

The self-made businessman said it was only later in life, while striving to succeed in the business world, that he realized the importance of his education.

“I was asked to do a job that required a lot of writing, spelling and mathematics,” Pace recalled. “It took me six months of hard work and studying to be able to go from zero to being able to do the job that I was asked to do.”

Sgt. Mark Evans told the students about the importance of exercising safety issues.

“We are here to keep you safe and the neighborhood safe,” the police sergeant said. “You can be whatever you want to be.

“ It starts in school by getting an education,” he said. “If you want it, you have to be willing to work for it.”

Councilwoman Willie Evans said it’s important for people to do their best at all times.

“Life is hard, but it’s nothing to be afraid of,” she said. “It’s not something to be afraid of. It’s something to be prepared for.”

The speakers were a part of the school’s celebration of American Education Week, which was observed Nov. 16-20.

The theme for the week was “Great public schools: a basic right & our responsibility.”

Laurel Middle School Principal Jeannine Agee said it’s a time for the students to recognize those who are involved in the education process.

Leah Stringfellow, advisor of the LMS’s Future Educators of America, said the school conducted a variety of activities during the week recognizing teachers, parents, support personnel and substitute teachers.

“It’s a time to highlight those who show an interest in our children’s lives,” Stringfellow said. “We just wanted to show our appreciation for what they do.”